Securing mechanism for aerodynamic skirt-securing member and method of installation thereof

ABSTRACT

There is provided a method of securing a strut portion to an I-beam of a vehicle, the securing mechanism comprising a pair of opposed clamps, each including a gripping portion, a securing portion, an abutting portion and a fastener adapted to apply tension on the clamps toward each other for moving the clamps toward each other and compress the strut portion to the I-beam.

CROSS-REFERENCE

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/471,696, filed Mar. 28, 2017, entitled BEAMCONNECTOR AND METHOD OF INSTALLATION THEREOF, which relates to and is anon-provisional application claiming priority from U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/314,062, filed Mar. 28, 2016, entitled BEAMCONNECTOR AND METHOD OF INSTALLATION THEREOF, both documents areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to a mechanism for securing aerodynamicapparatus components to a vehicle. More precisely, the invention relatesto a structural member connector for securing aerodynamic trailer skirtsto a vehicle to improve the aerodynamic efficiency of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Road tractors are used to pull semi-trailers on roads to transportcargo. Aerodynamic apparatuses are installed on the road tractor and/oron the semi-trailer in order to reduce the aerodynamic air drag andimprove fuel efficiency.

Trailer aerodynamic skirts are installed on both sides of a semi-trailerto help manage the flow of air around and underneath the trailer.Brackets are affixed to the trailer to secure the skirts thereto in apredetermined position. These aerodynamic skirts are secured to a bottomportion of the trailer, or on the sides of the trailer's floor, toensure proper positioning when the vehicle is moving.

People who are familiar with the trucking industry know that trailersare built in various configurations. Frame portions of trailer can usemembers and beams of different dimensions. For example, an I-beam, thatis commonly used in trailer manufacturing, also known as H-beam, W-beam(for “wide flange”), Universal Beam (UB), Rolled Steel Joist (RSJ), ordouble-T, is a beam with an I or H-shaped cross-section. The horizontalelements of the “I” are known as flanges, while the vertical element istermed the “web”. I-beams are usually made of structural steel, oraluminum, and are used in construction and civil engineering. The webresists shear forces, while the flanges resist most of the bendingmoment experienced by the beam. Beam theory shows that the I-shapedsection is a very efficient form for carrying both bending and shearloads in the plane of the web.

The skirts, because of their position under the trailer's floor andtheir proximity with the road, are significantly vulnerable and mighteasily enter in contact with surrounding obstacles. Portions of thesecuring member holding the skirts, when put under significant stress,plastically bend and/or break to affect the skirts' position in respectto the semi-trailer thus reducing the efficiency of the skirts.Additionally, the assembly can be crooked or not precisely aligned,which is causing additional challenges for securing the aerodynamicskirt assembly to the vehicle.

Known securing members holding the aerodynamic skirts to the trailer aretedious to install. Tools are required to mount the securing member tothe trailer. A significant amount of time is needed to properly locate,adjust and secure the aerodynamic skirts on the trailer.

Therefore, there exists a need in the art for an improved aerodynamicskirt assembly over the existing art. There is a need in the art for asecuring member that is adapted to be installed on members and beams ofdifferent sizes and configurations. There is also a need for such aresilient skirt assembly that can be easily installed and economicallymanufactured.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one aspect of the present invention to alleviate one or more ofthe drawbacks of the background art by addressing one or more of theexisting needs in the art.

Accordingly, embodiments of this invention provide an improved traileraerodynamic skirt assembly over the prior art that is efficient toinstall, adjust and offers a level of flexibility to the aerodynamicskirt assembly.

An aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides a skirtassembly adapted to be installed on semi-trailers of differentconfigurations to reduce the aerodynamic drag produced by the movementof the semi-trailer when pulled by a tractor.

An aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides anaerodynamic skirt support mechanism adapted to be manually installed ona semi-trailer to secure a pair of aerodynamic skirt panels on atrailer, the support mechanism being configured to secure an upperportion and a lower portion of the aerodynamic skirt panels.

An aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides asecuring member securing a resilient skirt assembly that is adapted tobend when it contacts a foreign object and to self-recover its originalposition and shape thereafter.

An aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides aconnector portion that is adapted to be secured to I-beams of differentsizes and/or thicknesses.

An aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides a pair ofconnector portions achieving a force in a direction that is not alignedwith a tension exercised by fasteners securing the pair of connectorportions together.

An aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides agripping portion including an angled beam-contacting portion fortransferring pressure on a portion of the I-beam that is applied in twosimultaneous different directions.

An aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides aconnector portion engaging through a corresponding strut portion forsecuring the strut portion to a beam.

An aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides a pair ofsecuring connectors mirroring each other, the pair of securingconnectors can be secured together with one or more fasteners and withan optional spring member, that can also be an elastic, interveningtherebetween to maintain a relative position between the securingconnectors.

An aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides a pair ofsecuring connectors mirroring and contacting each other at a lowerportion thereof, when securing the connectors together with one or morefasteners, to prevent rotation of the flanges before reaching a desiredsecuring tension with the fastener(s).

Another aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides abeam connector for securing an aerodynamic skirt to a trailer that canbe easily installed and economically manufactured.

An aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides a beamconnector that is made of sheet metal generally bent in a single plane.

An aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides a beamconnector made of two identical connector portions.

An aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides abeam-connector designed to squeeze a flat portion of an I-beam in abeam-receiving portion.

An aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides anaerodynamic skirt support mechanism adapted to be compatible with I-beamof different widths and thicknesses.

An aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides a beamconnector adapted to be adjusted by sliding along an I-beam under atrailer.

An aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides anaerodynamic skirt support mechanism adapted to be installed under atrailer without intervening with the land-gear of the trailer.

Another aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention providesmember supports made of a rustproof material.

One other embodiment of the invention provides a method of installing askirt assembly on a trailer comprising installing and fastening aportion of a skirt panel, with a securing member, substantially on theedge of a trailer floor and securing a forwardmost portion of the skirtpanel at a predetermined position on the trailer to define the shape ofthe skirt panel.

One embodiment of the invention provides a securing mechanism forsecuring a strut portion to an I-beam, the securing mechanism comprisinga pair of clamps, each including a gripping portion, a securing portion,an abutting portion and a fastener for applying tension on the clampstoward each other for moving the clamps toward each other.

One additional embodiment of the invention provides a securing mechanismkit for securing a strut portion to an I-beam, the securing mechanismkit comprising a pair of clamps, each including a gripping portion, asecuring portion, an abutting portion and a fastener for applyingtension on the clamps toward each other for moving the clamps towardeach other.

Other embodiments and further scope of applicability of the presentinvention will become apparent from the detailed description givenhereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detaileddescription and specific examples, while indicating preferredembodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only,since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope ofthe invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdetailed description.

Additional and/or alternative advantages and salient features of theinvention will become apparent from the following detailed description,which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, disclosepreferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings which form a part of this originaldisclosure:

FIG. 1 is a left side elevation view of a vehicle in accordance withembodiments thereof;

FIG. 2 is a right-bottom perspective view of a trailer in accordancewith embodiments thereof;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a securing member in accordance withembodiments thereof;

FIG. 4 is a right elevation view of a securing member in accordance withembodiments thereof;

FIG. 5 is a left elevation view of a securing member in accordance withembodiments thereof;

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of a securing member in accordance withembodiments thereof;

FIG. 7 is a to plan view of a securing member in accordance withembodiments thereof;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a securing mechanism in accordance withembodiments thereof;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a securing mechanism in accordance withembodiments thereof;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of a securing mechanism in accordancewith embodiments thereof;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a securing mechanism in accordance withembodiments thereof;

FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of a securing clamp in accordance withembodiments thereof;

FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of a securing clamp in accordance withembodiments thereof;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a securing mechanism and a securingmember in accordance with embodiments thereof;

FIG. 15 is a right elevation view of a securing mechanism and a securingmember in accordance with embodiments thereof;

FIG. 16 is a front elevation view of a securing mechanism and a securingmember in accordance with embodiments thereof;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of a securing mechanism and a securing memberin accordance with embodiments thereof;

FIG. 18 is a partial left elevation view of a securing mechanism and asecuring member in accordance with embodiments thereof;

FIG. 19 is a partial left elevation view of a securing mechanism and asecuring member in accordance with embodiments thereof;

FIG. 20 is a partial perspective view of a securing mechanism and asecuring member in accordance with embodiments thereof;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a spacer in accordance with embodimentsthereof;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a securing mechanism and a securingmember in accordance with embodiments thereof;

FIG. 23 is a top plan view of a securing mechanism and a securing memberin accordance with embodiments thereof;

FIG. 24 is a partial transversal section view of a securing mechanismwith a beam-spacer and a securing member in accordance with embodimentsthereof;

FIG. 25 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating a method of installingthe securing member and the securing mechanism to a beam, in accordancewith embodiments thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below withreference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate a road tractor 10 with a semi-trailer 20,also referred to as a trailer 20, attached thereto and equipped with apair of aerodynamic skirt assemblies 30, installed on each side of thesemi-trailer 20 along longitudinal axis 34, adapted to deflect anddirect the airflow around the semi-trailer 20. Each skirt assembly 30includes a skirt panel 38, adapted to be disposed on the side of thesemi-trailer 20, and a plurality of securing members 42 adapted tosecure the skirt panel 38 to the semi-trailer 20. The securing members42 proximally located on sides of the trailer 20 are visible, althoughnot clearly illustrated, because the left-side skirt panel 38 has beenremoved in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and will be discussed in more detailsbelow. Once installed on the semi-trailer 20, the skirt assembly 30helps channel the flow of air around the semi-trailer 20 to reduce theair drag of the vehicle when the semi-trailer 20 moves forwardly on theroad, pulled by the road tractor 10.

The skirt assembly 30 of the present embodiment is mostly located on thelower side edges, preferably under the semi-trailer 20, between thewheels 46 of the road tractor 10 and the wheels 50 of the semi-trailer20. The skirt panels 38 can alternatively extend forward up to thetrailer supports 54, also known as landing gears, of the semi-trailer,and be secured thereto, thus preventing complex skirt panel 38arrangements through the securing member 42. The skirt panels 38 aresubstantially vertically positioned on each side of the semi-trailer 20with a clearance with the ground by illustratively about 15-25centimeters (about 6 to 12 inches) to prevent interferences with theground under normal operation. The air management around the trailer 20provided by the skirt assembly 30 reduces the air drag created by thesemi-trailer 20 by directing the flow of air around the semi-trailer 20.The flow of air would otherwise turbulently move around and below thesemi-trailer 20 to create substantial turbulences and air dragnegatively influencing the aerodynamic efficiency of the vehicle. Theairflow management around the semi-trailer 20 provided by the skirtassembly 30 helps maintain laminar airflow around the semi-trailer 20that helps optimizing the aerodynamic efficiency of the vehicle anddiminish fuel consumption of the road tractor 10. The skirt assembly 30also improves the safety of the vehicle by providing a barrier that cansignificantly prevent foreign objects to get under the semi-trailer 20.

As illustrated, the skirt panel 38 is shaped with an optionalprogressive height 62 from a front portion 58 thereof. The skirt panels38 can alternatively also be installed at a proximal or a distal angle(not illustrated), in respect to the vertical, on the semi-trailer 20 tochange the airflow pattern around the semi-trailer 20 and more preciselyadjust the aerodynamics to a specific vehicle shape.

It can be appreciated in FIG. 2 that each skirt panel 38 is installeddirectly on the side of the semi-trailer 20 and, when seen from above,the front portion 58 that optionally progressively proximally leans 66toward the center 34 of the semi-trailer 20. The recessed front portion58 of the skirt panel 38 improves the collection of the turbulentairflow generated by the road tractor 10 thus improving the aerodynamicefficiency of the skirt assembly 30. Additional explanation about theshape of the skirt panel 38 will be provided in further details below.

FIG. 3 throughout FIG. 7 are illustrating a securing member 42 includinga connector portion 80 and a strut portion 84 both centered alongvertical axis 44 and central transversal axis 48. The connector portion80 is used to connect the securing member 42 with the trailer 20 and isembodied in these figures to also secure an upper portion 70 of theskirt panel 38. The strut portion 84 includes a strut member 90 with alower portion 94 and an upper portion 96 thereof. The securing member 42of the present embodiment is configured for securing the skirt panel 38thereon at a lower portion 74 and an upper portion 96 thereof. A planarsection 98 includes holes 102 therein for securing the lower portion 94thereof with fasteners or rivets, for example. The strut portion 84includes a securing portion 106 to which is connected the strut member90. The securing portion 106 is configured to be assembled to thetrailer 20 at its upper section with a trailer contacting portion 114,includes a stabilizer 110 and a skirt panel contacting portion 118 thatis generally orthogonally disposed in respect with the skirt panelcontacting portion 118 in the illustrated embodiment. The stabilizer 110is embodied as an extension of the connector portion 80 increasing witha lever effect the securing portion 42 and is extending proximal to thelongitudinal axis 34 of the trailer 20 to sustain the loads applied onthe strut portion 84 that is also creating a moment on the connectorportion 80. The skirt panel contacting portion 118 of the connectorportion 80 includes a planar section 122 provided with a series of holes126 therein for securing an upper portion 70 to the skirt panel 38 withfasteners or rivets, for example. Both planar section 98, 122 arepreferably aligned along a unique vertical plane 124 for efficientlycontacting the skirt panel 38. The trailer contacting portion 114includes openings 130 therein to receive therein a securing mechanism132 embodied as a pair of opposed clamps 134 to engage the structure ofthe trailer 20.

The securing mechanism 132 embodied two opposed clamps 134 illustratedin FIG. 8 throughout FIG. 13 are configured to be secured together with,for instance, two fasteners 138. The two opposed clamps 134 are securingtogether the trailer contacting portion 114 of the connector portion 80with a lower portion of an I-beam as illustrated in FIG. 14 throughoutFIG. 20. Each clamp 134 uses an inclined member 160 and two contactingportions 162, 166 for securing the connector portion 80 with the I-beam142. We will first describe in further details the connector portion 80before discussing the interaction between the strut portion 84, theconnector portion 80 and the I-beam 142.

The connector portion 80 of the illustrated embodiment is using twosimilar opposed clamps 134 to simplify the assembly and lower themanufacturing cost. The clamps 134 are made of a strong material capableof withstanding significant mechanical loads and can be shaped with apunch and die process. Metal, or the like, can be used. A materialresistant to corrosion, or a protective layer, is also desirable giventhe condition of use of the connector portion 80 to prevent rust toundesirably attack the connector portion 80.

Each clamp 134 is, in the present embodiment, made of bent sheet metalthat is forming a gripping portion 146, a securing portion 150 and anabutting portion 154. The gripping portion 146 includes a beam-engagingportion 158 including an inclined member 160 that is preferablypositioned at an angle α, that is illustratively about between 30degrees and 40 degrees, and more preferably about 34 degrees in theillustrated embodiment, to collect therein sections of I-beams 142having different dimensions and thicknesses. The gripping portion 146merges into a first contacting portion 162, configured to laterally abutsides of an I-beam 142, that merges into a second contacting portion 166configured to vertically contact a surface of the I-beam 142. A securingportion 170 is formed between a first protruding member 174 and a secondprotruding member 178. Both protruding members 174, 178 are proximallyextending about a similar distance to allow leveled abutment of the twoclamps 134 when secured and pulled toward each other. The secondprotruding member 178 is also helpful to prevent premature rotation ofthe assembly when tightening the fasteners 138 by its lever action andtouching each other along a line to provide resistance to rotation tothe assembly. Additional bents 182 are performed on the clamp 134 toincrease mechanical strength thereof. An elastic member 186, embodied asan elastic band in the present embodiment, is used to keep both clamps134 together in clamping position for facilitating the positioning ofthe clamps 134 prior to secure the clamps 134 to the I-beam 142. Helicalsprings 188 can optionally be used to pretense the assembly asillustrated in FIG. 9. The pre-assembly of the two clamps 134 areallowing suspending the two clamps 134 to the I-beam 142 to connect theparts of the aerodynamic skirt assembly 30 in place before adjusting thelayout and securing them in a final operating configuration. Distance190.1 is preferably configured to be close to zero (0) when the twoclamps 134 are secured toward each other and a distance 194 ispreferably configured to be a little wider than distance 190 from firstand second protruding portions 174, 178 to accommodate a central memberof the I-beam 142 between the two clamps 134 when the clamps 134 aresecured to an I-beam 142. Distance 190 is likely going to be smallerwhen the clamps 134 are secured to a narrow I-beam 142. Conversely,distance 190.1 is going to increase when the clamps 134 are secured to awider I-beam and distance 190.2 is going to diminish accordingly. Holes198 are made in the securing portion 170 to accommodate fasteners 138therein to secure both clamps 134 together. The interaction of thesecuring member 42 with an I-beam 142 is depicted in FIG. 14 throughoutFIG. 20.

It can be appreciated from FIG. 14 throughout FIG. 17 the grippingportion 146, with the inclined member 160, is compressing togethervertically and laterally the trailer-contacting portion 114 with a lowerportion 202 of the I-beam 142. The illustrated structure also has thecapacity to adapt to a variety of I-beams 142 sizes. The lower portion202 (bottom flange) can be wider 206 and/or thicker 210 and still becaptured and secured with the connector portion 80 of the securingmember 42. Typically, the lower portion 202 of the I-beam 142 is varyingfrom about 41 mm to about 85 mm width, and thickness of about 3 mm toabout 13 mm. This is illustrated in FIG. 18 and in FIG. 19.

One can appreciate the I-beam 142 is parallel with the central axis 144of the I-beam 142 in FIG. 14 throughout FIG. 17. The connector portion80 is designed to allow misalignment of the strut portion 84 with theI-beam 142 of the trailer 42 to properly locate the skirt panel 38 in anaerodynamic configuration or to compensate a particular “I-beam” 142structure. The alignment between the clamps 134 can be made bycontacting the abutting portions 154 together. However, in a case of awider I-beam 142, a spacer 220 can be required to space apart theabutting portions 154. The spacer 220 is sized and designed to distancethe pair of clamps 134 from each other to allow the clamps 134 to be inthe right orientation for optimal clamping force. In other words, theclamps 134 are optimally positioned when they are substantially parallelto each other. The spacer 220, better seen in FIG. 20 and FIG. 21 can bemade of different material having suitable mechanical properties likesteel, aluminum or plastic. The spacer 220 includes optional voids 224and ribs 228 to lighten the spacer 220 and reinforce desirable areasthereof. The spacer further includes fastener-receiving portions 232configured to receive therein 138.

A misalignment between the strut portion 84 and the I-beam 142 of thetrailer 42 can occur if the trailer 20 has I-beams 142 that are notperfectly aligned and, depending of the installation configuration ofthe skirt panel 38 along the trailer 20, the front portion 58 of theskirt panel 38 can proximally lean toward the center of the trailer 20hence progressively curving or bending and be located at an angle withthe I-beam 142 of the trailer 20 as illustrated in FIG. 22 and FIG. 23.The size of the openings 130 is designed to accommodate the installationof the pair of clamps 134 at an angle θ thereof.

I-beams 142 can have various configurations and thicknesses. In sodoing, the securing mechanism 132 can be used in conjunction with anoptional beam-spacer 236 as illustrated in FIG. 24. The beam-spacer 236can come in different shapes, sizes and thicknesses without departingfrom the scope of the present invention. The beam-spacer 236 ispreferably used between the I-beam 142 and the trailer-contactingportion 114 of the securing member 42 to adjust the size of the clampedmaterial for optimizing the position and angle of the pair of opposedclamps 134 when the width 206 and/or the thickness 210 of the lowerportion 202 of the I-beam 142 do not optimally fit the size of thesecuring mechanism 132. For example, a beam-spacer 236 could be requiredin case where the I-beam 142 thickness 210 is about 4.8 mm or less andthe width 206 is about 44 mm or less.

FIG. 25 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating a series of steps forlocating and securing a pair of opposed clamps 134 on an I-beam 142. Thepair of clamps 134 are engaged with respective openings 130 of asecuring member 42, 250. The pair of opposed clamps 134 are distancedfrom each other 154 by stretching an elastic member 186 to install thepair of opposed clamps on a beam 142, 258. Releasing the elastic member186 to engage the beam 142 with the opposed clamps 134. Sliding the pairof opposed clamps 134 along the beam 142 to locate the clamps 134 andthe securing member 42 at a desired position along the beam 142, 266.Securing the pair of clamps 134 on the beam 142, 270 and securingtrailer-contacting portions 114 of the securing member 42 to the beam142, 274.

While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments,it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thedisclosed embodiments and elements, but, to the contrary, is intended tocover various modifications, combinations of features, equivalentarrangements, and equivalent elements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims. Furthermore, the dimensions of features ofvarious components that may appear on the drawings are not meant to belimiting, and the size of the components therein can vary from the sizethat may be portrayed in the figures herein. Thus, it is intended thatthe present invention covers the modifications and variations of theinvention, provided they come within the scope of the appended claimsand their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for securing a skirt-securing member toan I-beam of a vehicle's floor with a securing mechanism, the securingmechanism comprising: a pair of symmetrical clamps adapted to be latchedtogether about a symmetry axis therebetween to engage and secure theskirt-securing member to the I-beam, each of the pair of clampscomprising a gripping portion comprising an inclined portion includingan end proximal to the central axis and an end distal to the centralaxis; a first contacting portion connected, at a first end thereof, tothe distal end of the inclined portion, the first contacting portionbeing disposed at an angle with the inclined portion and substantiallyparallel with the symmetry axis; and a second contacting portionconnected, at a distal end thereof, to a second end of the firstcontacting portion and generally orthogonally disposed in respect withthe first contacting portion and the symmetry axis, each of the pair ofclamps further comprising a securing portion connected to the grippingportion, the securing mechanism further comprising a fastener forsecuring the pair of clamps toward each other, the method comprisingdisposing the skirt-securing member within the pair of opposed grippingportions, adjacent to the first contacting portions and the secondcontacting portions; disposing a lower portion of the I-beam within thepair of opposed gripping portions, adjacent the inclined portion,adjacent the first contacting portion and superposed to theskirt-securing member; moving the pair of clamps toward each other,wherein moving the pair of clamps toward each other is sliding theinclined portions on the lower portion of the I-beam, moving the secondcontacting portion and the skirt-securing member along the symmetry axistoward the lower portion of the I-beam; and compressing the secondcontacting portion and the skirt-securing member against the lowerportion of the I-beam to secure the skirt-securing member to the I-beamof the vehicle.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the pair ofclamps of the securing mechanism comprises a fastener opening thereinand wherein the method further comprises securing the fastener throughthe fastener opening of each of the pair of clamps to secure the pair ofclamps together and to compress the skirt-securing member under thelower portion of the I-beam with a displacement of the second contactingportion of each of the pair of clamps toward the lower portion of theI-beam.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein each of the pair of claimscomprises an abutting portion connected to the securing portion, theabutting portions being adapted to contact each other when securing thefastener.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the fastener opening is aplurality of fastener openings and wherein the method further comprises:engaging a corresponding number of fasteners through the plurality offastener openings; and securing the corresponding number of fasteners totight the clamps toward each other.
 5. The method of claim 1, whereinthe inclined portions of each of the clamps are contacting the lowerportion of the I-beam along an edge thereof.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein the lower portion of the I-beam is contacting the firstcontacting portion of the clamps.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein thesecond contacting portions of each of the pair of clamps are co-planar.8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first securing portion and thesecond securing portion are substantially perpendicular.
 9. The methodof claim 1, wherein the securing portion comprises a bent therein forincreasing a mechanical strength thereof.
 10. The method of claim 1,further comprising contacting the pair of second protruding members whensecuring the fastener.
 11. The method of claim 1, further comprisinginserting a spacer between the pair of clamps for distancing the pair ofclamps from each other.
 12. A method for securing a strut portion to avehicle's floor portion with a securing mechanism, the methodcomprising: positioning in opposition a pair of clamps of the securingmechanism adapted to be latched together along a vertical symmetry axisthereof to secure the strut portion to the vehicle's floor portion;inserting the skirt portion within a pair of opposed gripping portionsof the pair of clamps, between a pair of inclined portions thereof and apair of opposed second contacting portions of the gripping portions;inserting the vehicle's floor portion within the opposed pair ofgripping portions, between the pair of inclined portions thereof and thestrut portion; assembling a fastener with a securing portion connectedto the gripping portion; and fastening the fastener to proximally movethe pair of clamps toward each other, wherein moving the pair of clampstoward each other is simultaneously sliding the pair of inclinedportions on the vehicle's floor portion and is pressing the strutportion between the vehicle's floor portion and the second contactingportion with a combined movement of the clamps toward the vehicle'sfloor portion.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein fastening thefastener is proximally moving a pair of opposed first contactingportions to further secure the vehicle's floor portion.
 14. The methodof claim 12, wherein fastening the fastener to proximally move the pairof clamps toward each other is fastening a plurality of fasteners. 15.The method of claim 12, further comprising abutting a pair of opposedabutting portions disposed at an end of the symmetrical clamps.
 16. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the clamps are symmetrical.
 17. The methodof claim 12, further comprising securing a spacer between the pair ofclamps.
 18. The method of claim 12, wherein the vehicle's floor portionis an I-beam.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the inclined portionsof the pair of clamps are contacting the I-beam along an edge thereof.20. A method of securing a strut-securing member of an aerodynamic skirtassembly to an underside member of a vehicle, the method comprising:providing a pair of clamps; positioning the pair of clamps in oppositionabout respective sides of a central axis; inserting a portion of thestrut-securing member within the gripping portion, between the undersidemember and a pair of inclined portions from the gripping portion;inserting the underside member within a gripping portion; and securingtogether the pair of clamps to move the pair of clamps toward each otherand simultaneously move the pair of clamps toward the underside memberof the vehicle to secure the portion of the strut-securing member of theaerodynamic skirt assembly to the vehicle.